Journal of Mental Health and Aging

The effect of glycemic control on executive functions in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Introduction: DM is a major health problem. It is well known that DM has a deleterious effect on vascular, retinal, renal, and peripheral nerve functions. A growing evidence suggests that elderly with type 2 DM have impairments in executive functions. The aim of the study was to detect the effect of glycemic control, duration of DM and its complications on executive functions. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a sample comprised of two hundred elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. Glycemic control, duration of diabetes, complications of diabetes and executive functions were assessed Results: There was a significant correlation between glycemic control and neuropsychological tests assess executive functions except for the clock drawing test. Also, there was a significant correlation between duration of diabetes and the number of diabetes complications and executive functions tests. Conclusion: Poor glycemic control is associated with worse executive functions, also longer duration of diabetes and increasing number of diabetes complications are associated with poorer executive functions.